BANGALORE: Additional Director-General of Police P Ravindranath, who allegedly clicked obscene photographs of a woman sitting in a cafe, on Thursday filed an untouchability case against City Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) B R Ravikanthe Gowda confirmed that a case was registered with the Cubbon Park police against city commissioner Raghavendra H Auradkar, High Grounds police station sub-inspector M S Ravi and himself.
Ravindranath had gone to meet Auradkar in his chambers on Wednesday. According to the complaint, when Auradkar walked out, Ravindranath followed him and tried to get into his car. Auradkar allegedly told Ravindranath not to touch him and asked him to use his own car to reach the DGP’s office. Both Auradkar and Ravindranath are ADGP rank officers. Ravindranath’s complaint, addressing Auradkar, says, “Further I told ‘can I sit in the back of your car’ you said to me ‘it’s my car, you cannot sit’. You moved away from me treating me as untouchable and ran away from the portico and asked your driver to come to the main gate of the commissioner’s office where you boarded the car and left to DG’s office. This shows that you have practised untouchability on me since I am a member of Scheduled Caste.”
Apart from this, the ADGP has also accused the commissioner of forcing the girl, whose photo was allegedly clicked, to file a complaint against him.
Addressing reporters, Auradkar said Ravindranath was not put inside the lock-up and that he went inside the cell on his own will. “I do not know what is the motive of accusing me. I was at Vidhana Soudha when I learnt about the incident. I do not have any personal or professional enmity with him. The case is being investigated by CID”, Auradkar added.
Home Minister K J George on Thursday denied Auradkar’s transfer.He also said Ravindranath, who had sent his resignation to DGP Lalrokhuma Pachau on Tuesday, will soon get a posting.
Siddaramaiah’s Ire
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met senior police officers on Thursday evening. A source said he pulled them up for their inept handling of the case. Home Minister K J George continued his balancing act before the media.
Women Panel’s Poke
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken note of Ravindranath allegedly taking photographs of girls on his phone. “We have sought an action taken report from the Karnataka government,” said commission member Charu Wali-Khanna on Thursday. Three days after the ADGP was accused of allegedly clicking ‘obscene’ photos of a woman sitting at a coffee shop, his wife Sridevi and daughter came out in his support on live television on Thursday.
Arrest Prospect
A person accused of practising untouchability or harassing anyone belonging to a scheduled caste faces arrest. Advocate Shankarappa Venkatarayappa said the court cannot give anticipatory bail in any caste atrocity case registered under Section 310 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocity) Act. However, it can grant bail if it finds no prima facie evidence.
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